Late last year, Alex says they spent about an hour and a half filming the You Can’t Ask That episode at ABC’s studios in South Bank.

“They were very open questions, they were designed to start a conversation,” Alex told 4ZZZ’s Queer Radio program.

“During filming, it’s more like a conversation with the producer Kirk Docker, who makes the show. Even though on TV it looks like you’re answering the question directly, you’re actually having a conversation.

“I think [the episode] will hopefully clarify the differences between intersex and transgender people, in particular, because I think that often gets confused.

“But also explain the issues that intersex people face that are mostly hidden in society.

“That’s the main reason for doing one of these programs is to get the microphone and say ‘This is actually happening, we need to do something about it.'”

The Darlington statement

Intersex people are born with characteristics that don’t fit typical definitions of “male” or “female”, and variations in intersex people can include chromosomes, hormones and anatomy.

Close to two percent of the population is born with intersex traits – similar to the number of people born with red hair – but intersex infants often undergo irreversible and unnecessary surgeries that can cause sterilisation, health issues and psychological harm.

The statement calls on government and clinical institutions to respect intersex people’s human right to bodily autonomy, greater respect for diversity and identity, peer support, and for intersex rights to be recognised in Australian anti-discrimination legislation.